Charlotte NC vs Spokane WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 229,228 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 37.2 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 6.1% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 34.1% | 2.7% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 2.9% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 7.8% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $65,745 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $38,200 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.0% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 14.6% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 32.6% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $400,636 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Spokane
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 35.3% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 10.3% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.6% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 17.5% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.7% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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